The Portland daily press., 1887-11-01
CITY GOVERN M EMIT.
The Electric Light Contract Signed
for Another Year,

A special meeting of both branches of the
City Council was held last evening.
In Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Mayor Chapman presided. and the full
board was in attendance.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT CONTRACT.
After calling the meeting to order Mayor
Chapman said: i"The contract with the
Consolidated Electric Light Company ex-
pires today and this meeting is called to see
what action will be taken in making a con-
tract with that or some other company"
Alderman Briggs then read the report of
the committee on street lamps. 1t was adj
yised by the committee that the lights in
behring's Oaks be discontinued and also
that the contract Of the Consolidated Elec-
trio Light Company, by which the said CON-
pany agrees to light the streets, lanes and
squares of the city from November 1st 1887,
to October 31st, 1888, with no more or less
than 16S arc electric lights, and $50 incan-
descent lights for the sum of $26, 900 to be paid
in equal monthly payments, be adopted. The
contract also stated that for each additional
arc light $40 per annum should be paid ex-
light SIS per annum extra. In other respects
the new contract is the same as that of last
year.
Upon motion of Alderman Wilson the re-
port was received and on motion of Alder
man Smith 1t was adopted. Judge Cieayes
appeared for the Portland Light and Power
Company and said that the company for
which he spoke had had only one day to
erect poles, and for that reason could not
enter at present into competition. He
thought there should be competition in mat
ter OF such Importance to the city and thought
that It would be better for the city tt, make
| contract with the company, which is now
| lighting the streets, for six or seven months,
| at the end of which time bids for the light
| ing of the city could be received from both
companies, and the result would be a great
| saving to the city.
Alderman Wilson thought that Judge
| Cleaves's remarks were very appropriate.
Alderman Kicker thought that there would
be great saving If the light could be dis
| continued on moonlight nights, and thought
| that such thing should be done.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Ii was ordered that the City Treasurer be
| directed TO deed lot in Evergreen Cemetery
| to w. l.. Frazier
1t was voted to give the Portland
| Light and Power Company hearing Nov
| l4th on their petition to erect poles and wires
| Tor electric light purposes.
| Alderman Briggs thought that the city
should own the poles used to support arc
lights. so that in case of competition the city
| could say to the bidders, 1--WE own the poles
and If you are successful bidders you may
place. your lights upon them" 1t was voted
| to refer the matter to the committee on street
lamps for investigation.
In Common Council.
Absent. Mr. Adams.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT CONTRACT.
| In the lower board when the report and
contract for lighting the city came up, Mr.
MCGOWAN objected to the adoption of the
contract He thought people were disguised
at the leap that had been taken in contract
figures from $4,000, the first year, to. $25, 600
the second year. Now the company comes for
ward and demands $4,000. Like Oliver Twis
it keeps calling for more and there is 10 ap
parent reason why next year they may no
demand $4,000 Now, he thought, was tn,
time to nip in the bud this greed for money
He thought an arrangement might be mad
by the committee, with the company
by which, for $4,000, the present light
might be re-arIanged and made to do He be
| lleVed the citizens would oppose return Il
gas lights, but he didn't believe they favored
an increased cost for electric lights.
| Mr.. King said this contract must be adopt
ed or the city would find itself in darkness,
but he would like TO know why the greal
| city of Portland found herself at the merck
OF the Consolidated Electric Light Company
He wanted to know if there was anything
wrong, any rascality or monopoly in this
business. He hoped the city would no
again find itself in such humiliating posi-
| ton. The company was not to blame buj
somebody apparently was.
MIR. Dewey asked why this contract had
| been delayed
Mr.. Abbott, from the committee, said tina
when it was found that the contract expired
| November 1st it was decided to call a meet
ing in October to see what should be done
There was no other company to make propo
sails then, nor is there any in condition t
make proposals now. The increase in tn
contract price Is called for from the increases
number of lights, and as the city grows, an
more lights are demanded, the contract prize
will no doubt be increased.
| Mr.. Trefethen said that several month
past the cost of lighting the streets was o
the rate of $4,000. The calls for more ligl
increase every day, and many of them cannC
be denied. II peoples wishes were carrie
out there wouldn't be q single incandescer
light left. He didn't think the compan
asked more than should be granted. We can
go back to gas; the people wouldn't stand il
We might make contract for eight month
at $4,000, but that would be at rate o
$4,000 year.
Mr.. King thought the Council should
called together at least week before tn
contract expired and then temporary ar
rangement with the gas company could b
made so the city should not be subjected
total darkness If the Electric Light Compan
saw fit to shut off their lights.
Mr.. Abbott considered the Electric Ligl
Company composed of men of honor. Al
other year a competitive electric light con
pany may be in the field.
Mr.. Dewey said he should be in favor {
an eight months contract at $4,000.
The question was put and the contract, 6
it came from the Aldermen, was adopted i
concurrence by two-thirds vote.
Papers from the upper board received col
| current action.